Sir.
Lt Smith has delivered Me the Arms Catridge Boxes and Flints, which the Council were so obliging to send us—The Ships1 having taken in Water are proceeding down the River and now lie opposite to upper Cedar point—the Militia are collected at the Points where they may most probably attempt to Land.—Our people took one of a thieving party which Landed below Sandy point and Colo Ware exchanged him for, an American mate who was prisoner on board the Phœnix—I am [on] my way to Colo Ware, who has been extremely active and is now in Piccawaxen [Creek] giving the necessary Orders—The Enemy will get no Provisions from this County to regale themselves on their Station upon the Coast.—I am [&c.]
T. Stone
Portobacco. Decr. 11. 1777.
L, MdAA, Maryland State Papers (Red Books), 4561-83. Addressed: “Honble./Thos. Sim Lee Esqr./President of the Council/Annapolis.” Docketed: “Mr Stone about Ships/in Patowmack/11 Decr. 1777."
1. H.M.S. Phoenix and Emerald with two tenders. See Thomas Stone to Thomas Sim Lee, 9 Dec. 1777, above. These ships operated in the Potomac River from 28 Nov. to 22 Dec. 1777. UkLPR, Adm. 51/311.